Structure-Property Relationships of Polyamide 12 Grades Exposed to Rapid Crack Extension

Thermoplastic materials have established a reputation for long-term reliability in low-pressure gas and water distribution pipe systems. However, occasional Slow Crack Growth (SCG) and Rapid Crack Propagation (RCP) failures still occur. SCG may initiate only a small leak, but it has the potential to trigger RCP, which is much rarer but more catastrophic and destructive. RCP can create a long, straight or meandering axial crack path at speeds of up to hundreds of meters per second. It is driven by internal (residual) and external (pressure) loads and resisted by molecular and morphological characteristics of the polymer. The safe installation and operation of a pipe throughout its service lifetime therefore requires knowledge of its resistance to RCP, particularly when using new materials. In this context, the RCP resistance of five different polyamide (PA) 12 grades was investigated using the ISO 13477 Small-Scale Steady State (S4) test. Since these grades differed not only in molecular weight but also in their use of additives (impact modifiers and pigments), structure-property relationships could be deduced from S4 test results. A new method is proposed for correlating these results more efficiently to evaluate each grade using the crack arrest lengths from individual S4 test specimens

The mechanism of the hydrothermal alteration of cerium- and plutonium-doped zirconolite

A comprehensive study on the aqueous stability of Ce- and Pu-doped zirconolite has been performed. Four series of hydrothermal experiments were carried out with Ce-doped zirconolite powders: (1) a solution series (1 M HCl, 2 M NaCl, 1 M NaOH, 1 M NH3, pure H2O), (2) a temperature series (T = 100-300 °C), (3) a surface area-to-fluid volume ratio series, and (4) a series using different reactor materials (Teflon©, Ni, and Ag). In addition, experiments on 238Pu- and 239Pu- doped zirconolite ceramics in a 1 M HCl solution have been performed. The 238Pu-doped zirconolite had already accumulated significant radiation damage and was X-ray amorphous, while the 239Pu-doped zirconolite was still well-crystalline. The results of the different experimental series can be summarized as follows: (1) After 14 days the degree of alteration is insignificant for all solutions other than 1 M HCl, which was therefore used for all other experimental series; (2) TiO2 and m-ZrO2 replaced the zirconolite grains to varying degrees in the 1 M HCl solution, i.e., zirconolite dissolution is incongruent; (3) the degree of alteration increases only slightly with increasing temperature; (4) the alteration rate is independent on the surface to volume ratio; (5) Ag dissolved from the silver reactors dramatically increases the reaction rate, while Ni from the Ni reactors reduces the solubility of Ti and Zr in the HCl solution, indicating that background electrolytes have a strong effect on the alteration rate. From the experiment with the Pu-doped samples at 200 °C in a 1 M HCl solution it was found that the amorphous 238Pu-doped zirconolite was altered to a significantly greater extent than the crystalline counterparts. The results suggest a coupled dissolution-reprecipitation mechanism, which is discussed in detail

Molecular imprinting science and technology : A survey of the literature for the years 2004 - 2011

Herein, we present a survey of the literature covering the development of molecular imprinting science and technology over the years 2004-2011. In total, 3779 references to the original papers, reviews, edited volumes and monographs from this period are included, along with recently identified uncited materials from prior to 2004, which were omitted in the first instalment of this series covering the years 1930-2003. In the presentation of the assembled references, a section presenting reviews and monographs covering the area is followed by sections describing fundamental aspects of molecular imprinting including the development of novel polymer formats. Thereafter, literature describing efforts to apply these polymeric materials to a range of application areas is presented. Current trends and areas of rapid development are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd